Topwater thrills at Bay Flats Lodge

DAVID SIKES/CALLER-TIMES Bay Flats Lodge’s Lori Pendergrass puts grill marks on giant pork chops, which were served for dinner on a bed of cheese polenta.

DAVID SIKES/CALLER-TIMES Redfish seem to like this Rapala DT-FAT shallow crankbait. It's an easy to use topwater wobbler.

DAVID SIKES/CALLER-TIMES This Rapala DT-FAT lure does not require any practice to use. Just cast and retrieve. The action is in the design.

DAVID SIKES/CALLER-TIMES This catch was a first for me. I’d never tossed a crankbait in saltwater much less caught a redfish with one.

DAVID SIKES/CALLER-TIMES The dining space and rooms at Bay Flats Lodge can accommodate large corporate parties of up to 39 guests, soon to be 47.

DAVID SIKES/CALLER-TIMES As you can see, paint and color have little to do with efficacy. Both these topwater plugs caught fish for us.$RETURN$$RETURN$

DAVID SIKES/CALLER-TIMES Most folks believe the topwater bite starts when bay temperatures reach 70 degrees and is best in the morning or on overcast days. I’ve experienced contradictions to all of these.

DAVID SIKES/CALLER-TIMES While trout is the topwater species of choice for many anglers, the persistence and punch of a redfish strike is a close second.$RETURN$$RETURN$

DAVID SIKES/CALLER-TIMES As you can see, McClelland and Beabout found calm conditions behind the protection of Matagorda Island.

DAVID SIKES/CALLER-TIMES In a knee-deep tide fish tend to froth the surface when hooked. This redfish acted more like a trout at times.